Nifty News

Faithful Followers

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

First off, I want to let you know that I've signed on with Books & Such Literary Agency and am working toward getting my book published! Yay! I've also added a button on the right side of my blog (right under the BlogHerAds) where you can sign up to get the details on my book. I promise I won't send you any spam (the mail OR the canned lunchmeat). Speaking of Spam, awhile back, my family saw a show featuring a Spam Festival held in Austin, TX. On this show, we saw several people walking around wearing shirts that read KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD. Of course I just had to get one of those shirts for my Austin. While ordering that shirt for him, I saw another one that read MAKE AUSTIN NORMAL! I think I may have to get that one now too! ;)

Anyway, back to what I was saying - No one will sell or give away your address. No one, except me, will use your address for any purpose whatsoever and the only thing I'll use it for is to send you a newsletter four times a year about the status of my book, book signings, contests to win a signed copy of my book, etc. So, if you're interested, please feel free to sign up! :)My little Brooklyn is sick and crabby tonight and doesn't want me to put her down. I think the stress of the past month and my cold have finally caught up to me also and I feel like I have an elephant sitting on my chest, so I'm leaving tonight's post to Trish...

Ok, Ladies. I have to be honest. When Dawn first offered to run my blook tour for TGASS, I was a bit nervous. Because you all love her so much, rightfully so since she IS AWESOME! I felt like the friend of a friend being introduced as the new kid in school. And yes, I felt like the geek. Then, the morning after Dawn posted the blook tour, I checked in and there were NO COMMENTS - ZERO! I was devastated. I called Dawn immediately on the phone and told her I was sorry, I must be a blog killer. Like first degree murder, I would be forever known as the blog killer.

But praise God, you all accepted me – Thank you! I am overwhelmed by your response and interest in supper swapping. And I encourage you to give it a try….

And BIG NEWS - I HAVE DECIDED SINE YOU HAVE SHOWN SUCH AN INTEREST IN SUPPER SWAPPING AND THE GREAT AMERICAN SUPPER SWAP I WILL BE GIVING AWAY 1 FREE BOOK FOR EVERY 100 COMMENTS POSTED BY FRIDAY MIDNIGHT. SO PASS THE WORD TO ALL YOUR GIRLFRIENDS. SO FAR WE ARE UP TO 6 FREE BOOKS AT OVER 600 COMMENTS!

Dawn wanted to post some more advice for you ladies. Here are the steps to get you started. These are from my site.

1. START WITH WHO YOU KNOW – Ask a neighbor, a girlfriend, or a co-worker togive it a try.2. HAVE COMMON GROUND – Either live nearby, attend church together, or work atthe same company so delivery can be easily coordinated at that common location daily orweekly.3. PLAN 3 MONTHS OUT - Choose and plan your meals for at least three months at atime, and write or print them on a meal calendar so each family knows what is being deliveredfor dinner each night.4. START WITH FAMILY FAVORITES - Choose recipes to start with that are yourfamily favorites. New recipes should be tried out on your individual family before they areintroduced into the co-op.5. AVOID PAN-DEMONIUM - Use 9x9 or 9x13 glass Pyrex pans with snap on blue lids,semi-disposable Zip-Loc containers, and Whale of a Pal Tubs for soups and stews. Rotate themthrough the group (See the Pan Formula in my Great American Supper Swap book)6. HONESTY TASTES BETTER - When you establish your meal calendars, be honestand up front about food likes, dislikes, and allergies to avoid problems down the road.7. BUDGET MEALS - Buy ingredients in bulk for your meals when items are on sale. Tryto budget recipes so you don't make two expensive ones back to back. (i.e. pot roast is moreexpensive than pizza burgers)8. ADAPT DELIVERY TIMES - Delivery times can vary depending on what works foreach family. If you deliver at dinnertime, have the meal cooked and ready to eat. If you deliver in the morning, have your meal prepared but not cooked with baking instruction included.9. BE FLEXIBLE - Be flexible with one another when life throws you a curve ball, like asick child, a broken down car, or unexpected circumstance. Have a meal back up plan for thosenights agreed upon at the outset, like switching days or having pizza delivered if you are in apinch.10. RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE - Relax and enjoy the ride. Don’t expect your supperswapping group to remain stagnant or to last forever; some families may swap longer thanothers. If a mom leaves, let them do so guilt free. We typically ask for one month’s notice so wecan adapt our meal calendars.

Trish has answered many other questions in the comments section of my Monday post "You Mean I Only Have to Cook Once a Week?" To recap - Trish will be giving away 1 free book for every 100 comments left on that thread. We're up to 6 free books right now. It's not too late to get in on the contest - just leave a comment on the Supper Swapping post with your name and email address and we'll enter you in the drawing.

Dawn,Why do we all feel like you're such a good, old friend? That is the mark of all your success to come--we just all relate so easily to how genuine and caring you are and how truly funny!!(an absolute understatement)I, like millions of others, have rolled on the floor laughing until I cried reading your stories. Thank-you for all the laughs and for sharing your life and family with us!!

Thanks for checking in, even when things aren't going well. It can get downright stressful when you have to set aside the fun stuff to take care of everything else (including you). Hang in there!

I hope you enjoy the ride. Please remember to pace yourself. Say "no" when it means your health, or the health of your family.

Most of all, thank you so much for sharing yourself and your family. By making us laugh at the everyday things, you've shown us how to "get over" the small stuff, and feel better about our jobs as moms.

Dawn,Get some rest! Whenever things are going on or we are on a trip one or more of my brood takes ill. I'm trying to get two of them well right now from a trip we just took. Put your feet up you deserve it!

Trish,I am really interested in that supper swap. I'll definitely be getting one started soon!

Our church brought over MANY meals after my wife's first mastectomy. We were touched by their generosity, but not always by their taste in food. I'm sitting in the hospital room while my wife sleeps. The ONE THING that our daughter asked of us this time is that we DON"T let people bring food over to the house. I have to agree. No one cooks like my wife. How can one be honest about someone else's food that you don't particularly like? I don't want to hurt their feelings.

CONGRATULATIONS Dawn! I am, along with a million others, quite happy for you and proud of you.Best wishes!Also feel better and get the elephant off your chest. I hope you and your baby ge better quickly!And, Trish, thanx for the great supper swapping ideas. I want to try this with some co workers if possible.Best wishes to you and yours!

dawn, wow thats fab about the book. I am signing up for your newsletter as we speak, I think you are making people like me who are terrified and having there 1st child realised life is going to be good.ThanksKaraxCongrats to trish wonderful idea

I LOVE those Keep Austin Wierd shirts! My DH and I had a weekend without kids in Austin about 4 years ago (it was sooooo nice to act like adults for a change!). Anyway, we bought one for our daughter, and now that she's outgrown it, our son wears it. I'll be so sad when he outgrows it.

you crack me up, girl! i just had to say...i think that program you saw about spam may have been about austin MINNESOTA. austin, mn is the spam capitol of the world and a big festival every year. (weird.) i lived in rochester, mn which is 45 minutes from there, so that is the only way i know this. they have this huge spam museum and everything. what do you think they have in there? i bet petrified spam! you could relate to that, right?

You know your worth all this praise. I get on your blog *at work*, because personally it helps me get through my day, and I enjoy the help you give me. I know that I can do it, I can raise my children, that your words inspire me. I know I can handle all that they throw my way. Let me give you an example. I dont like messing with the teeth thing with my kids, I get faint, lol...Well, my son lost one of his teeth in the middle of a church meeting Monday Night! Ran by me to drop off his bloody tooth on his way to the bathroom, I was a wreck. Then, the NEXT day, he decided to fix the broken rake with duct tape. He cuts the tape with his teeth like most macho men do, and out pops another one. In he runs to show me his bloody smile, and me, I just swoon for a minute then regain composer.! Thanks for helping us through all our days!!

Dawn, I posted a comment about supper swapping and was 1 of the first 100, but didn't leave my email IN my comment...Thinking you would get it thru me signing up to post?? Anyway, to make sure I am entered for a chance at a book my email is Carrie@victortech.com thanks for all the laughs everyday!!

Hi Dawn -- I just wanted to clarify; SPAM is made in Austin, Minnesota -- not Texas. If you ever get to Minnesota call me -- I'll take you to the SPAM museum. It's awesome. I promise I won't make you eat it, though.

Ok I screwed up the one time I posted for free book. I didnt leave my email addy? hy did I do such a stupid thing? Because my 3 and 4 yr old boys took a pitcher of juice into my diningroom and sucked it up with the sweeper. I had one HE** of a mess to clean up. Now my sweeper is dead and my blood pressure has risen to a point where I hear my heartbeat in my ears!!! Calm Calm. I am leaving my email addy now. plainprecious@hotmail.com Thanks Elisabeth

Get well! The kids will take over the house if Mom is not there to stop them....trust me, i was a kid once myself....our favorite game to play when left to our own devices? How many times can you walk around the living room without touching the floor....walking on couches, chairs, end tables, televisions, etc.

I just wanted to tell you how awesome that is that you found & got the shirt. We live fairly close to Austin and those shirts always make me laugh. I'd rather they be weird than us but I don't mind visiting :)

I'm leaving this on here so that you might see it sooner. I just got the forward of your Ebay auction. It was freaking hilarious! Fortunately I only have one daughter (for now) and am adamant (now) to stop at two! LOL Thanks for such a great laugh!! When I saw that you have a blog, I had to come check you out. I am a fellow blogspot blogger. (mrsbfw.blogspot.com) Come check it out if you find a free moment! :o)

Yea! Keep Austin Weird! I love Austin, I live outside of Houston, but my husband went to school in Austin and most of his friends live there, so we're there a bit. Plus, we almost MOVED there this past summer. I have a shotglass that says Keep Austin Weird.

YOU CAN'T SUPPORT THE KEEP AUSTIN NORMAL MOVEMENT!!! For another thing, it doesn't make any sense because Austin isn't and has never BEEN Normal. Where else do you come out of Maggie Moo's Ice Cream to see a jogger jogging in the left turn lane in the middle of Guadalupe, one of the main drags, and of course it's terribly busy!!!

Mmmm.... Ice Cream...

Keep up the great work! You've actually inspired me to start working on the book I want to write about understanding and communicating with teenagers. :)

Dawn, Congratulations on the progress towards getting your book published. Also, Trish, I really like your ideas about Supper Swapping - just want to let you know that there are men reading and learning too - not just ladies. Blessings to both of you and much success!!

I'm from Austin Texas, too. Yes SPAM is made in Austin Minnesota, yes they have a party, but so do we. Spam-A-Rama is only a tiny part of our weirdness--just ask any Austinite about Leslie, a skinny wrinkled ~50-year-old man who hangs out on street corners downtown wearing little more than a thong and a feather boa. Between him and the giant bat colony living under one of the main bridges, it's a tossup as to who's the city mascot.

I'm not sure how to email you. Saw your grocery shopping story in Funny Times. Thought you'd like to know what I saw abandoned with the tabloids in the check-out line the other day - a package of fake blood capsules. I wonder how it got there!

What a blessing to finally be leaving a comment here. I've wanted to for some time now, and finally am able to.

You two are fast becoming the first place I go to as soon as I sign on in the mornings. I love you both so much already!

Dawn: a friend of mine emailed me your ebay auction and since then, I've read every possible write you've written on your site. Can't wait to get your book! Isn't the Lord just awesome?! You've been in my prayers everyday since I "met" you (e-met) and I will keep it up in your behalf.

Trish: I'm a Trish too! I'm not a Berg though, instead, I'm a Ballard. And I love to cook, love to talk about cooking, write about cooking, swap recipes about cooking, host parties and fellowship where there is cooking...uh, did I happen to mention that I love cooking? In fact, baking is my "forte'" and I hope one day to go into business...but don't publicize that on the web or anything because I am not ready yet. LOL

Dawn and Trish both: I also am a Christian AND aspiring writer. (That's not a writer who takes aspirin. That's a person who is waaaaaaay down low on the totem pole looking up at all you published folk, wishin'...) :)

The one thing I don't have in common with you two fine ladies is that I'm not married and therefore obviously do not have children. The Lord just hasn't brought all that to pass in my lifetime, so I have gotten busy taking care of everybody else since I don't have a family of my own to look after, and well, that is where all that love and cooking, writing, baking, gardening, canning and such comes in.

SO: could ya'll pretty please enter my name in on the Supper Swap Cookbook give-away? And if I don't win one, then I am ordering one. You're stuck with me one way or the other, now, Trish! :)

Dawn and Trish: both of your websites (Dawn, your blog) have been a joy to browse. Love hearing about your children, family, home and all the things that make you two YOU.

Well, I am going to get off here for now and get back to paperwork. I'm at the office where I work for a trucking company - most of my postings/emails mostlikely will come from this address although the majority of the time I "use" my home email addy. Are you confused yet?

Both of you take care and have a blessed evening. The Lord smile upon you and yours.

I think you are one of the FUNNIEST moms I know! (which I'm sure you've never heard that). My MOPS group reads your blog religiously! I just wanted to say "Thanks" for the Austin blurp! We are OH-SO-PROUD!!keep on keepin' on!!Lori

I cant wait till your book comes out. OH and I have to tell you... I am a nanny for 3 boys and this morning I was getting them up and ready for school and today was "sheet" day so I took their sheets off and got their pj's and came down to do laundry and ended up washing a pull-up with all the sheets and pj's. It was such a mess. I could not believe that had happened just after reading that you did the same thing.

Hello Dawn,Well I've done it. I received my e-mail with a link to your auction earlier this week and was hooked. I had to read your whole blog. I started in the archives and read from June. My Word from the Herd e-mail goes out to family and friends who share with their family and friends. I use to brag that I had about 150 readers. I think you have out done me. My little family of daughter 8, son 6, and twin 4 1/2 year olds is fun filled. I vow never to get my boys and Spaz in the same room together. Namely the bathroom. I'm afraid their fascination with water and toilets could me disasterous. I know my spelling is terrible. I am in a hurry to get back to my laundry that I have put on hold for several days. I sat at my computer for over an hour last night reading your blog. Way funnier than laundry. I pray you and your daughter feel better soon. God Bless and I look forward to reading your book. Amy

If you would like to check my blog it is by invite only. I have registered to receive book info so you can e-mail me, Amy Kerr, at that address and I will send an invite. Because I know you just have so much free time to sit and read your computer screen! Love ya'

I noticed that you have several links up on the side regarding children who are ill or disabled as well as various organizations which support kids/families dealing with such issues. My little guy has a "diagnosis" of Polymicrogyria. It's not actually a diagnosis, more like a description of what can be seen on MRI. He's 20 mos. He doesn't sit, roll over or crawl--yet. He is heartbreakingly beautiful and babbles almost constantly--a very happy boy.

Hi Dawn! I know you're busy, busy, busy, but if you have a mo, do drop in to collect some Bling I have for you - a 'Nice Matters' award, and a 'Bodacious Blog' award! No need to carry forward the tag if you don't want to, but your blog has given me so much pleasure the last few weeks I thought you deserved these!Hope your little 'un is feeling better soon.Rachel.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful Ideas of supper sharing I have posted a link to the blog in one of my frugal groups so I could share the wonderful discovery I have spoken to a few friends about it in my area and quite a few are really keen to give it a go! Once again thank you!

Dawn, I have never posted before... so here goes. I just think that you are wonderful. You make it possible for me to wake up each day and just be the mom I want to be. Not the mom others say they are being. Thanks.

I think the supper swap would be great if I didn't have a child on such a restrictive diet and a husband that doesn't like anything but cereal and oh ya, cereal. So I guess that I'll have to wait for them both to grow up. I still think it is a great idea.

Congrats on the book and just to let everyone know... I think we got it that the Spam place is in MN, but who cares, it was a funny comment and that was the point! Luv, Cindy

I guess I need to put my email in to be included for the book... cindyostler@hotmail.com

Okay - love TGASS idea - I went to Trish's website - lots of great ideas - in fact I want to buy all your books.

Dawn, congrats on the book deal - I look forward to finding it at a Borders near me with a big, shiny kiosk all dedicated to YOU.

Sorry if I submitted my name more than once at your site - I hit submit but then it didn't do anything, then I hit submit again (I know - it's like pressing the elevator button repeatedly). So sorry if I was a bother.

Can't wait to see you on ABC News. So exciting. I keep telling all my family back in Chicago about you (yes I'm a Chicago native now enjoying the Buckeye state) - we've really enjoyed all the fun you've brought us.

Just read your last entry...which took a couple of minutes. Then I thought, "Hmmmm, wonder how many visits she's had?" So, I looked at the counter at the bottom of the page...935,170 visits! Then refreshed the page...935,259! That's 89 visits in approximately 4 minutes!

Now, with that in mind...

QUESTION: Are advertisers lined up at your doorstep chomping at the proverbial bit to sign you up/richly reward you for placing ads on your blog? If not, they're NUTS!!! You'll be hitting the 1 million views mark before long!

hmm, I like (no, love) your posts and writing style, however I'm not crazy about Trish taking over. I'd rather you skipped days then feel you need to hand it over to someone else.

Oh well, I'm sure others are fine with it. I'll keep checking in for a while, and I'll hope it doesn't sway too far from what made you so special in the first place. No offence to Trish of course, I'm sure she's delightful, she's just not you. Val

Hey Dawn ,Looking forward to the updates on your book.I have to admit when I was reading the posts I have no idea who Erma is, I think thats what someone said above ..it sounds like you are alot like her?I need to google that.I hope you get to feeling better soon !Oh, and im still waiting to write that little piece on my blog I mentioned yesterday ..im blaming my slowness on mayo and plastic bags and public schools ..ekkkk.

Dawn...I just want to say that I just read your entire blog the past couple days. I can't wait for your book!! I love the humor you add to my day....it makes me laugh at the craziness in my own hosehold instead of getting upset. Thanks for the smiles!!

On the Austin, TX versus Austin, MN issue: yes, the canned meat is made in MN, but down here in Austin, TX, we have many quirky annual festivals, one of which is Spamarama http://www.spamarama.com/history.html. It's held during our 100+ degree summer heat, and includes a cook-off and Olympic-style sporting events, all featuring the aromatic potted pork product. Needless to say, the stench of Spam invades a 10 block radius on that day. Ewww....

Those who want their own Keep Austin Weird stuff, check this link: http://www.absolutelyaustin.com/

Thanks for your refreshing (yes, I mean that!) reflections on motherhood. As a mom of five, I enjoy reading about your trials and tribulations, er, I mean about your delightful days. I'm looking forward to the book. We're a home-school family, so maybe we could find a way to network with other families and count this as a home-ec project. Now that's something to think about. Hmmmm...

I was going to write kind of a nasty comment because, quite frankly I was offended by Trish continually addressing everything to "ladies." But I decided to give being nice a shot. I realize she might not understand that it's exclusionary and well, just plain unneccesarily sexist.

I know most of Dawn's loyal readers are women, but not all. It doesn't feel very good to be treated like you don't exist.

Agree with VAL COX, not a fan of Trish, not just Ladies that read this hugely entertaining blog, hoping I will be able to get hold of your book on the other side of the pond.From a male reader from England.

Dawn,This poem kept the order of things in my mind as my children were growing up. I always thought that the title should change as needed, for example "Song for a Fifteenth Child", for my grandma, bless her soul. Or "Song for a Sixth Child" for you. LOL

"Song for a Fifth Child"

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,Hang out the washing and butter the bread,Sew on a button and make up a bed.Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).Dishes are waiting and bills are past due(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stewAnd out in the yard there's a hullabalooBut I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

A friend just forwarded your ebay acuction for the Pokemon Cards to me. All I can say is it made my day. I am a SAHM, Homeschooling mom to 5 kids ages 1 to 10. I just sat at the computere and Laughed and laughed til I was about crying. My children of course thought I was losing my mind! Thanks for your honesty. Just found and am reading your blog. God bless you!

I keep thinking I'd like to start blogging, but I am stuck on what to call my blog, "confessions of an insane homeschooling mom???" Hmm, would you read that??

Also I am interested in the Supper Swapping although I find it a bit intimidating. My kids are hard to please, but anything to make my life easier would be great. Although my friends who cook for 1 or 2 of their own kids might not want to swap w/ me for a family of 7. It's worth exploring.

I live in Austin and see the Keep Austin Weird shirts all the time. A few months ago I saw this bumper sticker. "Keep Round Rock mildly unusual". Round Rock is about 15 miles north of Austin. I thought that was so funny!